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Gay Games Will Rock Dam Square
by Nellie Voss & Paul Van Yperen

As the opening date of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 is rapidly approaching, more and more details of what the event will be like are falling into place. AmsterDAMnights, organized in association with IDTV and Pieter Teepe Productions, will certainly rock the town of Amsterdam.

For six days, from 2 - 7 Aug., thousands of people can watch and enjoy a free evening program with top artists live on two stages on the Dam, the central square of Amsterdam in front of the Royal Palace. Every night has its own theme with a lead artist performing between 10pm - 11pm, a support act from 8pm - 9pm and DJs spinning their tables in between from 9pm - 10pm. The opening night on Sunday is reserved for Bjorn Again with their ABBA songs, one of the acts from the Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 Opening Ceremonies on 1 Aug. On the second night Dutch musical star Stanley Burleson performs, together with a selection of artists of his choice. Jocelyn Brown's powerful voice will keep the audience enthralled on Tues. night. It's Dutch night on Wed. when Willeke Alberti, accompanied by the band of Edwin Schimscheimer, is the major act. Willeke is an icon in the Dutch Gay scene. Thurs. night is Choir night with performances of some of the participating choirs in the Choir Festival of Gay Games and the appearance of the Norwegian a capella group GLI Scapoli. According to Gay Games Director of Events & Festivities Ruud Oosterhof, this group will be the revelation of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998. It's disco time on Fri. night with legendary acts from the 70s and 80s. The Weather Girls will bring these six concert nights to a final climax with one more performance of their big hit "It's Raining Men."

Kodak Becomes Joint Sponsor
Of Gay Games Amsterdam '98,
Federation Of Gay Games

The organizers of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998, and The Federation of Gay Games, the governing body of Gay Games, announced July 1 that Eastman Kodak Company has become the "exclusive film sponsor and one-time use cameras" of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 and of the Federation.

The photo giant joins Avis, Levi Strauss & Co. and some 40 other companies as a sponsor of Gay Games V, which will take place 1-8 August in Amsterdam. In its sponsorship of the Federation, which runs through 1999, Kodak joins sponsors Miller Beer and Tzabaco.

"We're delighted to be aboard and to add this sponsorship to our mix of presence-marketing activities," said Ron Dickson, Director, Presence Marketing for Kodak.

The Federation is also pleased that Kodak has signed on as a sponsor. Federation Co- president, Roz Quarto said, "As the Gay Games movement continues to evolve, and corporate America increases its support, we will be afforded the chance to reach out to more people and to affect positive change throughout the world. We are pleased that Kodak has taken this step to support the Gay Games, and we are confident that the Gay and Lesbian community, proven to be loyal consumers, will support Kodak for years to come."

"This is the first time a Gay and Lesbian event has gathered such a comprehensive list of distinguished sponsors.This is a definitive confirmation of the eagerness of sponsors to go with our slogan: 'Our cheese and tulips can take care of themselves. Our tolerance however needs your support.', said Pascal van den Noort, the proud director of Development of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998.

Knoxville Pride
At World's Fair Park
by Mike Barrington, Sec., New Orleans Alliance of Pride, Inc.

I attended Knoxville's Pride Rally Sat., June 13. The parade started at the Knoxville auditorium and moved, without incident, to the World's Fair Park for the day's event of speakers, drag queen entertainment and Gay fellowship. The reigning Miss Gay Knoxville led the parade in her open car preceding over 100 marchers. Knoxville Pride has been in existence

Center, left, Mike Barrington, New Orleans Pride with Joe Camber, co-chair, Knoxville Pride, Inc.

since 1991, growing in attendance each year. This year's event had over 500 Gays, Lesbians, Transgenders and Transexuals celebrating together. The co-chairs, Joe Camber and Rev. Dee Crumm, were very excited and pleased to see the number of people attending. Since Knoxville is a small city, in the center of the Bible Belt, it has been difficult for Gay people to come "out" into the streets to celebrate, most staying hidden from the straight world due to job security. Their outing is usually at night and with caution during that time, always afraid of who might see them entering or leaving the bars. Due to this, the Pride board of directors were overwhelmed by the turnout this year.

The setting for the event was just awesome from the World's Fair Park Theatre to the beautiful grounds with small streams of water flowing through the park.

The entire board of directors and the people in attendance welcomed me with open arms, making me feel very special and pleased to have taken the time to celebrate with them. I was the only member of a Pride board to attend their event and received kindness and attention far beyond my expectations, since I was only there as an interested guest and to give support from New Orleans Alliance of Pride, Inc. I do suggest if anyone ever has the opportunity to attend another Pride celebration, please do so and support those people trying so much to show their community the strength and numbers of Gays they come in contact with daily.

Sonny Cleveland, co-chair of New Orleans Aliance of Pride, Inc., and I attended the Atlanta Pride Celebration June 26-28 (see 3 Snaps this issue) and the Atlanta group will be coming to our Pride celebration in Armstrong Park Sept. 26 & 27 to assist in making our two days the very best ever.

Waiting for the parade to begin in Knoxville

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